1926.1206: What a Confined Space Entry Permit Must Show
Employers must use an entry permit for each permit space that identifies the space, purpose, date and authorized duration, authorized entrants, attendants and entry supervisor by name, hazards, isolation and control measures, acceptable entry conditions, test and monitoring results with tester names and times, rescue services and how to call them, and communication procedures, along with other listed items.
Key takeaways
- 1926.1206 is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart AA).
- OSHA cited it 9 times in the last 3 years, in 6 inspections, with $0 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most-cited part: 1926.1206(k) (3 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.1206, "Entry permit", is an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart AA). It has 16 numbered paragraphs. The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
Show the full text of 1926.1206 (16 paragraphs)
The entry permit that documents compliance with this section and authorizes entry to a permit space must identify:
(a) The permit space to be entered;
(b) The purpose of the entry;
(c) The date and the authorized duration of the entry permit;
(d) The authorized entrants within the permit space, by name or by such other means (for example, through the use of rosters or tracking systems) as will enable the attendant to determine quickly and accurately, for the duration of the permit, which authorized entrants are inside the permit space;
This requirement may be met by inserting a reference on the entry permit as to the means used, such as a roster or tracking system, to keep track of the authorized entrants within the permit space.
(e) Means of detecting an increase in atmospheric hazard levels in the event the ventilation system stops working; 1 citations
(f) Each person, by name, currently serving as an attendant;
(g) The individual, by name, currently serving as entry supervisor, and the signature or initials of each entry supervisor who authorizes entry;
(h) The hazards of the permit space to be entered; Open (h) 2 citations
(i) The measures used to isolate the permit space and to eliminate or control permit space hazards before entry;
Those measures can include, but are not limited to, the lockout or tagging of equipment and procedures for purging, inerting, ventilating, and flushing permit spaces.
(j) The acceptable entry conditions; Open (j) 1 citations
(k) The results of tests and monitoring performed under § 1926.1204(e), accompanied by the names or initials of the testers and by an indication of when the tests were performed; Open (k) 3 citations
(l) The rescue and emergency services that can be summoned and the means (such as the equipment to use and the numbers to call) for summoning those services; Open (l) 1 citations
(m) The communication procedures used by authorized entrants and attendants to maintain contact during the entry;
(n) Equipment, such as personal protective equipment, testing equipment, communications equipment, alarm systems, and rescue equipment, to be provided for compliance with this standard; 1 citations
(o) Any other information necessary, given the circumstances of the particular confined space, to ensure employee safety; and
(p) Any additional permits, such as for hot work, that have been issued to authorize work in the permit space.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.1206.
At 12:00 a.m. on December 14, 2023, Employee #1 was working for a general contractor. Employees #1 and #2 were working in a 20x20x30 pit removing wall forms when the plug that was installed failed causing the pit to fill up with water. This resulted…
Where and how often it was cited
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.1206, plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.1206.
Most-cited parts of this rule
- 1926.1206(k) 3 citations
- 1926.1206(h) 2 citations
- 1926.1206(j) 1 citations
- 1926.1206(l) 1 citations
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Frequently asked questions
Does the permit have to list entrants by name?
By name or by other means, such as a roster or tracking system, that lets the attendant quickly and accurately know who is inside.
What test information goes on the permit?
Results of tests and monitoring under 1926.1204(e), with the names or initials of testers and when tests were done.
Must the permit list how to call rescue?
Yes. It must list the rescue and emergency services and the means to summon them, such as equipment and numbers to call.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.1206 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-19
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.